Sarasota to Open New Boat and RV Storage in 2027
A new 350-space facility in Sarasota aims to provide more storage capacity for local boat and RV owners.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Camping
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A new $22 million boat and RV storage facility on Butler Avenue in Sarasota is scheduled to begin construction in early 2027. The project aims to address the significant local demand for storage among residents who own marine and recreational vehicles.
Why it matters
Sarasota and Manatee counties currently see a supply-demand imbalance for boat storage, with over 50,000 registered boats in the area. Moving storage to inland sites helps manage land and insurance costs compared to traditional waterfront facilities.
Official registration figures show 50,500 boats in the region compared to only 7,500 available wet slips and dry racks. The exact impact of this project on local waitlists for boat and RV storage remains unknown.
The players
Brian McCarthy
An entrepreneur planning to build a network of storage facilities across Florida.
The details
The facility will sit on a nearly 4-acre site on Butler Avenue and feature 350 storage spaces, with 75% of that capacity dedicated to boats. In addition to boat racks, the design includes 87 ground-floor RV spaces and 60 trailer-only spots. To streamline logistics, the site will operate a high-tech forklift system costing up to $1 million, allowing owners to schedule vehicle readiness for 24-hour pickup via a mobile app.
Timeline
50,500 boats were registered in Sarasota and Manatee counties as of 2025.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
Health Landscape
This project reflects the ongoing shift toward inland, automated storage solutions in Florida to manage the high density of recreational watercraft. It follows a clear trend of infrastructure adaptation as regional boating participation continues to outpace traditional harbor storage capacity.
If you are a local boat or RV owner, this facility may eventually provide a more accessible option for storing your equipment as the region navigates its storage capacity constraints. You may want to track the project's progress if you are currently waitlisted for secure storage space in the Sarasota area.
The takeaway
The region faces a significant gap between the number of registered vessels and available storage slots. Residents should keep an eye on project updates for potential waitlist openings as the 2027 construction date approaches.
What happens next
Construction on the Butler Avenue site is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2027, with a projected timeline of 10 to 12 months for completion.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local infrastructure for Camping.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Observer.
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